27th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 2025 - Year C

Gospel for the day - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Luke 17:5-10 - ‘If you had faith.’


At that time: The Apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ And the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.
‘Will any one of you who has a servant ploughing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, “Come at once and recline at table”? Will he not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterwards you will eat and drink”? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” ’

This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.

Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week.

Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts. If you are interested in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word please email us: cluster.alpha@outlook.com




Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


In today's gospel, Jesus' reply sounds strange, to say the least, when the apostles ask him to increase their faith. After all, don't we all feel that our faith should be stronger than it is?
Perhaps the apostles were expecting, as do we often, that the strength of our faith should translate into immediate, visible results - the greater our faith, the greater the miracles worked. The real leap of faith is to carry on labouring in God's vineyard without seeing any instant fruit, and to trust that God will use our efforts in his own time.


1. Share a moment when, much later, you realised how God had used your seemingly futile efforts. 

2. When have you done more than was required of you in the service of others?*



 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession

For the Church, entrusted with the gift of Faith, that all our hearts may be opened to receive more of this gift.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We pray for all parts of the world suffering from conflict and violence, remembering especially the people of Sudan, Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine.

We pray for all those injured, without food, shelter or medical supplies that they may receive the aid they so desperately need.

May those in positions of power have the wisdom and courage to pursue a just and lasting peace, turn their hearts from aggression and conflict, towards dialogue and reconciliation, so, all may be able to live without fear, and communities can be rebuilt.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For those affected by the earthquake in the Philippines, may God give them strength and hope, and may they receive the practical help they need.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For teachers on this World Teachers Day, may they feel valued, supported and encouraged in their crucial work, and may their efforts reflect love and truth in the world.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For our community of faith, and those seeking to become one with us through the process of Christian initiation, may have our unfailing support and prayers.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For the sick and lonely, and for those on the Prayer Foundation list that they may be comforted by the love and care of others, and the healing touch of Christ.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For all who have died recently, and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. We remember especially: Jeffrey Sogovia, James Alphonso D’Souza, Bridget Bonnar, Joe Callaghan, Michael Boyle, Dorothy Gilhooley, Patrick Boyle, Jack Laing and Janet Cuthill. May they experience the fullness of God’s love and peace in his heavenly kingdom.

Lord, in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We will now say together the prayer to be missionary disciples.

Cluster prayer

Lord continue to bless our community in this time of transition.

Help us on our journey to grow from a maintenance church to a missionary church.
Give us the courage to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship; narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and prejudice.

Kindle in us the fire of your love that all who come here will find joy, peace and love.

Make this a house of prayer and a gateway to your kingdom.

AMEN

Preparing for next week -  28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

Luke 17:11-19
‘No one was found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner.’

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.’ When he saw them he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ And he said to him, ‘Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.’


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary on the readings.


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


The gospel this week shows us how easy it is to be ungrateful.  Nine of the lepers didn't return to say thank you, despite being healed from the most disfiguring, isolating and feared of diseases.  Giving thanks, enriches the person who has received the gift, just as much as it enriches, the gift giver. A sense of gratitude helps us to maintain our sense of awe - we can find pleasure in walking through creation giving thanks for the wonder of nature or delight in the kindness of a neighbour. It ensures we do not take things for granted. 
It seems however, almost unbelievable that only one returned to Jesus. This points to the power of distraction or perhaps the pull of society. There could be temptation and pressure to give the priests, the credit for the cure. There could be pressure to immediately run from the shame of the disease and pretend it had never happened. Whatever the reason, it was only the Samaritan who returned to give thanks, even before he had presented himself to the priest. It is important to remember that he is a foreigner, despised by the Jews for practising a religion they considered heretical. Seen as different, seen as other.  But it is this foreigner who has recognised what has been bestowed upon him and seen it as gift. When Jesus tells him that his faith has made him well, it is clear, that Jesus is not talking about the institution of religion but that the Samaritan has faith in Jesus, the individual. Therefore the need to have the cure confirmed is put into its correct priority - for the Samaritan it is secondary to thanking the person who has given the gift. The foreigner was the only one to grasp that Jesus' message of compassion and love is revolutionary and that his life would be forever changed because Jesus had cured him and touched his heart. 


1. What might have stopped you going back to say thank you and why?

2. Whose generosity do you tend to take for granted? How will you change this?*


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center